Mosquito Season Going to Bite

Dallas County sets traps early

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Dallas County will spend more than $300,000 to fight mosquitoes this year.

Heavy rain and high temperatures may make for a nasty mosquito season this year.

"We had a lot of rain, so we will probably see a lot of pest mosquitoes, the ones that like to bite humans and also daytime biters," said Dallas County entomologist Morgan Kohut.

Mosquito Season Expected to Bite

Mosquito season is starting early, Dallas County entomologists have already started trapping and testing mosquitoes for West Nile Virus. (Published Tuesday, April 13, 2010)

She and her team set out 14 mosquito traps across Dallas County a week earlier than normal.

They set up one of the first traps this year in Cedar Hill at Crawford Park to trace what mosquito species are in the area.

"We're seeing an increased number of mosquitoes that are in the area," said Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Zachary Thompson.

Identifying the species will help to assess the number of potential carriers of West Nile virus. The Southern House Mosquito for example, typically shows up in May and can carry the potentially deadly virus.

Mosquitoes breed like crazy in standing pools of dirty water, and carrier insects aren't any different.

"West Nile mosquitoes, they're more permanent (than) pool mosquitoes, and they like dirty water, so it's going to be the water that's in ditches, that are clogged with grass clippings and old leaves," Kohut said.

"Make sure you are wearing long-sleeve clothing (and) that you're not outside after dusk," Thompson said. "It's very important that you really protect yourself."

Residents should also remove standing water near their home and use mosquito dunks in water they can't remove.

Dallas County has more than $300,000 this year to fight mosquitoes and educate residents on how to protect themselves.

"Pretty much, we just hope for the best, and we are prepared for the worst," Kohut said.